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A farewell World Cup for them! It will be the last world cup appearance for Australian leg spinner Shane Warne. Pakistan's great fast bowler Wasim Akram, opener Saeed Anwar, captain Waqar Younis, Australia's speed star Glen Mcgrath and New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns also take a bow in the 2003 World Cup. IT is the rule of nature that every beginning has an end. The game of cricket is no exception to this. Even as some cricketers are going to make a debut in the world cup, some will put in their last appearance. The legendary Steve Waugh, who won the world Cup for the Australians in 1999, after a gap of eight years, could not even find a place in the team, but some lucky ones, like Hasan Tilakratne, have made a surprise comeback. He has played only two one-day matches after the previous world cup! Surely, it is going to be his last world cup. And so will it be for West Indies captain Carl Hooper, who had retired, was recalled to lead his side sometime ago. The 1966-born Hooper is a hard hitter of the ball and a very good off spinner. After making his ODI debut in 1986-87 against New Zealand ( test debut in 1987-88 against India ), he has led his team to victory on many occasions. His records speak well about his class. In 221one-day matches, Hooper has scored 5663 runs with 7 centuries and 29 fifties. Fortytwo times he was not out. With his off breaks he has taken as many as 190 wickets also. He would certainly like to end his last world cup on a winning note, especially when he has the great Brian Lara on the side. When one remembers the golden days of the 1996 World Cup champion Sri Lanka, then one can not forget the contributions of Aravinda De Silva. Not only as a dashing stroke player, but also as a useful spinner, he made remarkable contribution to the Sri Lankan success. Sadly, later De Silva was even dropped from the team. But he has made a good comeback and is now being considered as a star performer in the first world cup of the new millennium. This will be the last World Cup appearance of this fighter cricketer, who is already of 37. If one were to make a
quick list of successful openers of contemporary cricket, one cannot
afford to overlook Gary Kirsten. One cannot even think of the South
African team without Kirsten. Determination and concentration are his
strong points. The 34-year-old player is cool and calm and equally
successful in both forms of cricket. Where many touring batsmen have
found it difficult to play the turning ball on subcontinent wickets,
Kirsten has been a success. Kirsten is not likely to last till the next
world cup. Though Gibbs is the new batting star of South Africa,
experienced Kirsten has to play a key role if the hosts are to qualify
for the finals. |
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Indian veteran speed star Javagal Srinath also happens to be playing his last world cup. At 33, he may not be as fast and dangerous as he used to be, but his armour is still full of deliveries which can get rid of top batsmen. One must not forget, he was the most successful bowler from either side in the recently concluded one-day series in New Zealand. He will also be looking to capture his 300th ODI wicket in this world cup. His 299 wickets in 218 one-day matches speak of his class. In fact, he is the only genuine fast bowler after the great Kapil dev. Of course, young Zaheer khan is doing good with Srinath, but to find his substitute will not be an easy task. After all, fast bowlers do better in pairs. Another great Indian
bowler who will be playing his last world cup is spinner Anil Kumble. He
has won several matches for India and would like to do so in South
Africa too, where he has always done better. Though India has a long
tradition of producing quality spinners, in recent years, no spinner has
shown the required consistency except Kumble and After all, 32-year- old Kumble has taken 303 wickets from 238 one-day matches. Even in the world cups he has been a good performer with 23 wickets in 14 matches. It will also be the last world cup appearance for great Australian leg spinner Shane Warne. Pakistan's great fast bowler Wasim Akram, opener Saeed Anwar, captain Waqar Younis, Australia's speed star Glen Mcgrath, New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns also take a bow in the 2003 World Cup.. |
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Rajkumar Singh
"The white lightning" Allan
Donald is one of the most ferocious pacers of contemporary cricket. He
has been spearheading his country's attack for over a decade after South
Africa made a return to international cricket against India at Eden
Gardens in 1991. With age, Donald has shortened his run-up, but his class
remains. Of course, he will try to make this world cup memorable for his
country.
Harbhajan Singh. In
such a situation, to find a substitute for Kumble won't be easy.